Planting Depth Revisited

I overheard a conversation in the grocery store the other day that reminded me of my post on planting depth.

The cashier was telling her customer, who was purchasing a Rose of Sharon, that she can't get anything to grow in her yard because it was so shady. She went on to say that her daffodils and tulips won't bloom because of the shade.

I almost piped in with, "Oh, you just planted them too deep." Luckily, I held my tongue. Novice gardeners really shouldn't give unsolicited advice about shade.

It did remind me that is important to be diligent in planting things at the right depth. I use the hand ruler on the side of my garden ruler to double check. No guesstimating for me; that's just asking for trouble.

If you don't have a ruler as part of your gardening tool kit, I strongly recommend one. You can buy the one pictured above, here.

Oak Worms and Miscellany

Today, I read a couple of great lawn and garden posts.

The first, is about the tiny worms that are as I type dropping out of pin oaks. Well, not all pin oaks, but enough pin oaks that I felt it was a good idea to post about this creature: gall midge larvae.

These tiny worms are not harmful to their hosts, so it the best approach is just to wait them out. Read Dennis Patton's explanation here.

Secondly, one of our route managers recently posted the answer to some lawn and garden questions on her blog Trophy Wife: Ask Lawn Boy. *Most* of the questions are germane to our topic, so feel free to check out her blog if you are interested in:

Planting Easter Lilies Outside
Keeping Weeds Out of Your Lawn or
Putting Miracle Grow around your Shrubs

Along these lines feel free to post questions in the comments section of any post and we will be sure to respond!

Easter Lily. You can plant them outside.

Does Mulch Attract Termites?

This is a mulched border in my backyard. The little tree in the center
is a crabapple we planted last summer. It had a few tiny blooms this year!

Many homeowners worry that if they put mulch around the foundation of their home, they will attract termites to their home.

Iowa State University has a great article about mulch and termites here.

The short version: While mulch will not DRAW termites to your home, mulch is a great environment for mulch and other insects. If you are going to mulch around your foundation, leave a few inches between the end of the mulch and your home.

In general, mulch is great for your landscape. It retains moisture and helps define landscape areas. It can also help regulate soil temperatures.

Grubs in my Beds!

I added some perennials to my landscape beds a few days ago and came across some white grubs. It is normal to find grubs in your landscape beds. Just because you see grubs in your landscape beds, doesn’t mean you will have grubs in your lawn; grubs are not very mobile. Right now they are feeding on organic matter in the soil. Do not worry if you find a few while working this spring. It takes high populations to do damage.

Grubs that damage to your lawn later in the season will hatch from eggs that will be laid by chafer beetles and May/June beetles in July. You can apply a grub control product to your turf areas during the summer to prevent grubs from damaging your turf. A lawn care service, like Ryan Lawn & Tree, can also provide this application for you.

Heavenly Scents, Part 2

I think my favorite shrub in my yard is Korean spice viburnum. It has an sweet, almost spicy scent that I absolutely love! It is wonderful. I was in heaven just taking this picture!

Korean spice viburnum (viburnum carlesii ‘Korean spice’) grows about 3-5 feet tall by 3-5 feet wide in its standard form. I have two, one in an area next to my patio (also near a window) and the other one next to a fence at the edge of my property. Both are in semi-shaded locations, but it can also be grown in full sun. This shrub is easy to grow and I highly recommend it!

Heavenly Scents, Part 1

I remember writing about my hyacinth not blooming well. I guess I just wasn’t patient enough because they are blooming now! And boy, do they smell wonderful! The person who lived in my house before me planted them. As you can see in the picture, they are a very pretty pink.

Hyacinth also comes in other colors. I’ve also seen them in blue, purple, different shades of pink and white. There are also other colors that I haven’t seen, like yellow and peach. I recommend it! Try it near a walkway, patio or bench where you can enjoy its fragrance. (If you are adding it to your landscape, you need to wait until fall to plant the bulbs.)

Bagworms

I snapped this picture of bagworms on that cedar from yesterday. If you have an evergreen in your landscape, take some time to look for bagworms. They can also be found on deciduous plants, but are more common (and destructive) to evergreens. Look for the bags hanging from the branches, similar to Christmas ornaments.

Bagworms construct these bags for protection. If only find a few of them, remove them by pulling or pruning the bag off of the plant. Bagworms spend the winter season in the egg stage inside some of these sacks. Remove them now before the eggs hatch in late May or June.

If you have a larger infestation, contact a tree company like Ryan Lawn & Tree, to assist you with controlling this landscape pest.

Rust Diseases

We had a couple of good rains over the weekend. The weather was so nice, I had to get outside. While walking with my family, I came across a cedar that was displaying signs of rust. Cedars and junipers are the alternate host for rust diseases and are infected in late summer. The fungus overwinters in galls and cankers on these plants. In spring when wet conditions exist, spores are produced which infect prized crabapples, hawthorns, quince or other members of the rose family.

The picture above is cedar-quince rust. Spores are produced in that gelatinous material on the twig canker. They will be carried by the wind and infect nearby quince plants. The picture below is cedar-apple rust. You can see the orange, gelatinous horns containing spores that will infect crabapples and apple trees. (On a side note, there is also a bagworm hanging in the foreground. More on those tomorrow!)

My First Transplant

I have heard of people "moving" plants in their landscape from one spot to another.* I have never attempted this...until yesterday afternoon.

My Grandma has been wanting some Vinca Major to plant in a mulched bed around a Silver Maple tree. I told her I would bring her some from our office. (I think she was expecting it last fall.) Yesterday, when she was in town Larry Ryan harvested several of the plants, which she will be able to plant in her yard. (I held the bag and made sure all the little plants made it to Grandma.)

Vinca is a great ground cover for mulched borders. Larry says it is too coarse for the front yard. I think if it will grow, and the bunnies won't eat it, plant it where you like.

*Before we met, my husband transplanted a rhododendron in our front yard. It is still alive and kicking today, although it isn't the most vigorous plant. Also, "rhododendron" was often misspelled in the spelling bee at my elementary school. I practiced spelling it, so that I would not repeat this mistake. Unfortunately, I misspelled "sacrifice" and was the runner up in the last bee of my elementary career. Fortunately, the second runner up also got to attend the district spelling bee AND miss an entire day of school, so I was a pretty happy camper.

Sand Cherries Add Color To A Landscape

When I first met my husband, I hated the sand cherries in his backyard.

Today, they have won me over. I love their deep red color and the pretty, light pink flowers that bloom in early spring. I find myself planning what flowers to plant based on what will complement the sand cherries.

If you are looking for a nice shrub to plant, consider a sand cherry.

Bunnies 1, Tara 0

I have been trying to plant a lot of new things this season: Ranunculus, Anemones, Sweet Peas

So far, none of these experiments is going particularly well. I was so excited when I noticed my first sweet peas (pictured above) starting to germinate. Then I started to worry why none of the other sweet peas had begun to poke their heads through...

I am sorry to say, I think the rabbits got most of my crop.

Easter is over. The Bunny is no longer welcome in my yard!

Broadleaf Weed Control

Since temperatures have begun warming overall (we had a high in the 30's earlier in the week!) the weeds have really begun to take off. I enjoyed a walk with my kids over the weekend and snapped this picture of some broadleaf weeds in someone's yard.

The preemergent products that homeowners (and industry professionals alike) put down earlier in the season for annual grassy weeds, like crabgrass and foxtail, provide little control of broadleaf weeds. Weeds like those pictured above (dandelions, henbit and violets) must be treated as they appear.

If you want to control these weeds on your own, choose a product labeled for the specific weeds you need to control in your lawn. Whatever product you choose, make sure you apply the product when temperatures are above 40 degrees for best results. If you would like help controlling weeds in your lawn, contact a lawn service, like Ryan Lawn and Tree, in your area.

Ash Flower Gall

Ash flower gall is caused by a microscopic mite that feeds on the male flowers. The feeding causes the tree to produce lots of flower buds which results in the formation of galls. These galls start out green, and then turn brown to black. The galls can persist over winter.

Ash flower gall is a cosmetic problem. The certified arborists at Ryan Lawn & Tree do not recommend treatment in this case. If your tree is small, the growths can be removed through pruning, but they do not harm the tree if left on it.

This picture is of some old galls from last season. Ash trees have not flowered yet around the Kansas City area. I’ll have to keep my eye open to see if I can catch some before they have a chance to turn color. If I do, I’ll be sure to share!

Feeding the Birds

I really enjoy the feathered friends that come to visit my back yard. Favorites of my family include the goldfinches and cardinals. Now that the weather is warming, the goldfinches are regaining their golden color again. We also have a pair of cardinals (a male and female) that frequent our feeder. They nest nearby and last summer one of their babies ventured into our yard. What a treat!

It is important to provide a clean food (and water) source to birds. I provide food year round because they bring such enjoyment. The long tube-like feeder on the left is for goldfinches. Did you know they can feed upside down? Other birds cannot do that, so only goldfinches can feed here.

The feeder on the right is a “squirrel proof” feeder. It has springs that shut the feeder when a squirrel lands on it. I got it on sale last fall from Ace Hardware because we had such a problem with squirrels. I have also seen them at Walmart (and probably other stores as well.) I would highly recommend it!

Spring Color

I think I love spring because of all of the color after winter. These are a favorite of mine in my landscape – creeping phlox. Every spring they are a carpet of purple white long before the leaves have even emerged on my shrubs or my other perennials have had a chance to grow. They come in other colors too. I’ve seen white and shades of pink as well.

If you need some bulbs for early color, try daffodils, narcissus, crocus, tulips or hyacinth. I have some hyacinth blooming right now too, but I think it is about done as it doesn’t flower very well any more. I must say the blooms it does produce still smell great!

Scale Insects on Trees

Scale insect on magnolia

Before the leaves emerge this spring, look around your landscape for scale insects. Although a wide variety of plants can be affected by scale, it is common on euonymus, oak and magnolia. Look for immobile adults like those pictured on the magnolia above or pin oak below. At this stage in their life cycle, scale can be treated with dormant oil. When eggs (located below this protective covering) hatch, the crawlers can be treated with insecticide.

Scale insect on pin oak

Learn more about scale insects by visiting Ryan Lawn and Tree's informational library: Scale insects.

Follow Up on Bradford Pears

As a followup to Wednesday's post, I wanted to show you this picture of a Bradford Pear that was damaged by the wind and ice a week ago. It really drives home the idea that if you REALLY want a Bradford Pear, you should plant it far away from your home and driveway, and your neighbor's personal property.

Are Dandelions a Sign of Spring?

I don't know if I would consider dandelions my favorite sign of spring, but once these little yellow guys poke out their heads, I start feel like baseball games and picnics are just around the corner.

I spied some this week for the first time, so of course, I took a picture. Most of the plants I saw were in bare areas and along the sidewalk. To me, this is further evidence that well-maintained lawns are the best defense against weeds.

If you have some little guys in your landscape, wait until temperatures are above 40 degrees to spray them. Products available to homeowners aren't effective below this threshold.

P.S. Don't tell my niece dandelions are weeds. She LOVES them and thinks they are SO PRETTY.

Bring the Outdoors Inside

I have a special event tonight and I needed cheap, festive centerpieces for the tables.

The party had a violet (the color, not the flower) theme and I found a great sale on pansies at Family Tree, a local garden center. I covered the 4.5" pots they came in with a pretty fabric and I was set.

I got several compliments and it was an easy project. Consider using potted plants at your next party. The best part? You can plant the flowers in your landscape once the party is over. You can bet that's what I'm going to do!

High Winds Damage Bradford Pears

Photo by Martin LaBar

A query on our local Q & A gardening blog asked if there are pear trees that are less likely to split during high winds.

All pears are weak-wooded and susceptible to damage. Bradford Pears are hit especially hard. In fact, tonight as I was driving down a street lined in Bradford Pears, I was reminded of a fabulous pair of high heels. They're pretty, but not exactly practical.

If you live in any area that routinely gets ice or high winds, it is best to avoid planting this tree. If you absolutely have to have one, prune it regularly and aggressively to keep it from getting too top heavy.

Were any of your pears damaged during last weekends storm?

Another Landscape Dream

Photo from Noel Zia Lee via Flickr

I have always wanted a saucer magnolia. (And by always, I mean since I got into the green industry a little over 3 years ago). My husband DOES NOT share this dream.

Why? Because the huge, beautiful flowers eventually become huge, pink blobs on the sidewalk and driveway once the blooms fall. He's a practical guy. (He did say I could plant a saucer magnolia if I promised to clean up after it every year, which, honestly, is a commitment I can't make.)

This scenario brings up a valid point--before planting your "dream" tree, think of the upkeep that might be involved. Cursing the previous owner of your home for planting a sweet gum? Perhaps they just didn't think of raking tons of spiky balls every fall when they put it in the ground. Not sure if there are hidden pitfalls of a certain tree? Ask your neighbor who has one, or, call the local extension agent and get their opinion.

What is your dream tree?

P.S. Had a minor glitch with automatic posting yesterday...which means TWO posts today!